Stretching and drying apparatus for



( No Model.)

F. J. CROWLEY.

Stretching and Drying Apparatus for Calico Printing Machines. No.234,541. Mg, Patented Nov. 16, 1880. 0

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WITNESSES:

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICEQ FRANCIS J CROWLEY, OF GLOUCESTER CITY, NEWJERSEY.

STRETCHlNG AND DRYING APPARATUS FORv CALICO-PRINTING MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 234,541, dated November16, 1880.

Application filed August 6, 1880.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS JAMES CROW- LEY, of Gloucester City, in thecounty of Camden and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Stretching and Drying Apparatus for Calico-PrintingMachines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a means for stretching, smoothing, and dryingprinted cloth, whereby crimps, wrinkles, or creases are prevented frombeing formed in the fabric before it passes to the drying-cylinders.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a top view, showing theconstruction-and arrangement of the drying apparatus and the manner ofconnecting it with the drying-cyL inder. Fig. 2 is a front or end view.Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are detail views.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A represents a drying-cylinder, which may be of any suitable descriptionand arranged in the usual or any suitable manner.

B represents a frame, which supports the working parts of the stretchingapparatus.

In the upper portion of the frame B are journaled six horizontal shafts,D, arranged in two sets, three in each set. Each of these shafts carriesthree pinions, E, around which pass leather belts G. Each belt hasriveted to itsinner side a series of ribs, f, which serve as teeth andengage with the teeth of the pinions E, so as to insure the proper anduniform revolution of the belts.

To the three belts of each set a series of slats, H, are attached. Theseslats may be made of brass or other metal. They are rounded on one sideand flat on the other, and the flat sides are secured to the outer sidesof the belts Gr.

By the construction and arrangement of parts above described two endlessaprons are produced, moving in opposite directions from the center ofthe frame, as indicated by the arrows. Between the adjacent portions ofthe two aprons lies a stationary strip, J, of brass or other metal,having its ends secured to the frame B.

K K represent two rollers journaled in the frame B at right angles tothe shafts D, and so arranged that their lower peripheries are (Nomodel.)

slightly lower than the upper surfaces of the endless aprons abovedescribed. One of these rollers, K is provided with bevel-gearing Z,engaging with bevel-gearing m on two of the shafts D, so as to givemotion thereto. The shaft of this roller K also carries at one end agear-wheel, M, engaging with the gearing of the drying-cylinder. Y

The operation is as follows: After the cloth is printed it is passedunder the roller K, thence over the slats H, thence under the rollor Kand thence to the drying-cylinder. As the cloth moves along it ispressed down by the rollers K K on the slats H, and as the aprons movein opposite directions from the center the slats H stretch and spreadthe cloth transversely of its line of travel. Thus by the combinedaction of the slats and the rollers the cloth is delivered to thedrying-cylinder in a perfectly smooth and even condition, and allcrimping, wrinkling, or creasing is effectuall y prevented.

I am aware that stretchers to lengthen and widen cloth are not new; butthis is not the object of my invention. When the calico comes from thedye-house it is twisted up like arope, and is run through a machine thatopens it, but it still comes to the drying-cylil'ider full of creases orcrimps, which are usually worked out with the hand. These crimps ordouble edges run so fast that the manipulators cannot straighten themout. Hence between the mai'iipulators is placed a machine to take outthe crimps in conjunction with them. The calico is pressed so tightly onmy cylinders and stretcher that it cannot be really stretched in lengthor width, this being a subsequent operation in the finishing-room.

What I claim as new and of my invention 1s The combination, with thedrying-cylinder A and frame B, of the two sets of three shafts D, eachcarrying three pinions, E, the belts Gr, ribbed on the under side, theslats H, arranged across the belts, the rigid strip J between theaprons, and the rollers K K the whole adapted to remove crimps fromprintcalico and dry the same, as set forth.

FRANCIS JAMES CROWLEY.

Witnesses:

MICHL. CAVANAGH, JOHN BEASTON.

